The Employment and Labour Department has referred the public wishing to collect their R350 social grant to the Social Development Department. This follows scores of people visiting the department’s labour centres on Monday with the aim of collecting their social grant. According to reports, large numbers of people flocked to labour centres in Alberton in Gauteng; Port Elizabeth, East London, Grahamstown, Graaf Reinet, Queenstown and Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape; Pinetown in … [Read more...] about Public cannot collect social grants at labour centres
Government
SANParks distributes food parcels to communities
The South African National Parks (SANParks) CEO, Fundisile Mketeni and the Eastern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mlungisi Mvoko, today handed over food parcels and hygiene products to 300 households living in areas adjacent to Addo Elephant National Park, in the Eastern Cape. They also handed over a further 800 food hampers to communities residing around other national parks in the region which includes Camdeboo, Karoo and Mountain Zebra … [Read more...] about SANParks distributes food parcels to communities
Municipalities warned against water cuts
Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has appealed to municipalities throughout the country to refrain from the abrupt cutting of water supply to residents. The Minister’s appeal comes as thousands of residents contacted the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) call centre complaining about municipalities who have cut off water supply to residents who are in arrears or for no apparent reason. According to the department, most of the complaints were from Western Cape, … [Read more...] about Municipalities warned against water cuts
Patel meets with clothing industry
As 1.5 milion workers in the South African economy returned to work this week, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has met with representatives of the clothing textile, footwear and leather sector. Monday’s virtual meeting with the sector was held to review the readiness of shops and factories for the new Level 4 lockdown which kicked in on 1 May. “The meeting agreed to develop a common framework on implementation of COVID-ready workplaces that can serve as a … [Read more...] about Patel meets with clothing industry
SARS urges taxpayers to use e-services amid COVID-19
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged taxpayers to remain compliant and make use of its online services as the country battles an ailing economy compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. “If there was ever a time where delivering on our mandate matters, it is now. During this time, it remains extremely important for all taxpayers to remain compliant,” said SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter. This, Kieswetter said means taxpayers must register when they are legally … [Read more...] about SARS urges taxpayers to use e-services amid COVID-19
Tax Revenue Takes a Beating
COVID-19 knocks tax revenue performance The South African Revenue Service says the country’s tax and revenue performance has taken a knock as a result of an ailing economy compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Whilst it is early days, our initial view is that revenue performance will be lower than the February Budget announcement by between 15%-20%. This means that revenue under-recovery could move up to R285 billion,” said SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter. The Commissioner was … [Read more...] about Tax Revenue Takes a Beating
President on cigarette sales ban
President Cyril Ramaphosa has commented on the court case over the ban of cigarette sales during level 4 lockdown involving tobacco manufacturing companies. Speaking in KwaZulu-Natal, where he was inspecting the province’s state of readiness to deal with the projected spike of COVID-19 infections, President Ramaphosa said he has confidence in the court that they will examine the matters and disputes properly. “We live in a free country. The content of our democracy is such that … [Read more...] about President on cigarette sales ban
President warns of more COVID-19 infections
As the country has lifted the lid on some of the economic activity and people are starting to move around, South Africa must brace itself for the increase of COVID-19 infections. This was the key message delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa during a visit to KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday to assess the province’s COVID-19 response. The President was engaging with the provincial government and stakeholders on the province's response strategies and progress being made to flatten the … [Read more...] about President warns of more COVID-19 infections
Amatola Water Board placed under legal administration
Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has placed the Amatola Water Board in the Eastern Cape under administration. The decision follows Sisulu’s meeting with her advisors where she received reports regarding intensified processes applied to resolving the cases of irregular expenditure in the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). “The Minister received comprehensive updates about enduring problematic developments at both the Amatola Water Board in the … [Read more...] about Amatola Water Board placed under legal administration
Cigarettes ban decision not taken lightly
Editor: Typical - Take a Decision, Take Flak for it, Explain Later An earlier decision by government to allow the sale of cigarettes during the COVID-19 lockdown was rescinded after the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) consulted medical experts and various role-players. President Cyril Ramaphosa said this on Monday after sections of society implied that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had arbitrarily gazetted the ban. Previously … [Read more...] about Cigarettes ban decision not taken lightly
Eastern Cape Fourth
With winter fast approaching and confirmed COVID-19 cases now at 7 220, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has urged South Africans to continue to stay home to ease the burden on the country’s healthcare system. “Stay home if you do not have to venture out,” said the Minister on Monday. Seven more fatalities have been recorded, bringing the total number to 138. Of the seven deaths, six were recorded in the Western Cape, while the other was in KwaZulu-Natal. In a statement issued on … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Fourth
South Africa pledges $1.3 million in response to COVID-19
South Africa has committed an amount of US $1.3 million in response to the COVID-19 pandemic President Cyril Ramaphosa made the pledge during a World Health Organisation (WHO) Coronavirus Global Response pledging conference, which was convened by the European Union (EU) on Monday. The conference mobilised resources for the WHO’s recently launched global collaboration to accelerate development, production and equitable global access to new COVID-19 essential health … [Read more...] about South Africa pledges $1.3 million in response to COVID-19
Artists fail to meet requirements for relief fund
A majority of creatives, who applied to the R150 million COVID-19 Relief Fund established for the creative and sports sectors, have failed to meet the requirements. “We are concerned that the largest number of those not recommended are artists, who are seemingly in greater need of relief,” the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, said on Monday in Tshwane. Following the President’s announcement on the state of disaster as a result of COVID-19, the Minister held … [Read more...] about Artists fail to meet requirements for relief fund
Film and television production houses to resume operations
Acting Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Jackson Mthembu, has signed and gazetted directions on the Risk-Adjusted Strategy for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The gazetted directions allow, among others, electronic communication services and network services, advertising agencies, film and television production companies to resume operations. Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the COVID-19 Risk Adjusted Strategy that provides a … [Read more...] about Film and television production houses to resume operations
SA takes top honours in Open Budget Index
Joint First for SA South Africa has once again come joint first with New Zealand in the 2019 Open Budget Index (OBI), conducted by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) through an Open Budget Survey. “The win is in recognition of the country’s commitment to a transparent budget process. This is a repeat of the result from the 2017 OBI,” National Treasury said on Monday. National Treasury said achieving first place cannot be a victory for the Finance Ministry alone but all the … [Read more...] about SA takes top honours in Open Budget Index
